Tune-sheet key indicator



Dec. 29, 1931. A. c. REFSGAARD 1,838,284

TUNE SHEET KEY INDICATOR Filed Oct. 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 29, 1931. A. c. REFSGAARD TUNE SHEET KEY mmgmon Filed Oct. 7, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 29, 1931 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE ANTON CARL REFSG-AARD, OF HAMBURG, GERMANY TUNE-SHEET. KEY INDICATOR Application filed October 7, 1929, SerlaIVNo. 398,025, andin Germany December 18, 1928.

This invention relates to a device, with the aid of which the playing of'key-instruments, especially pianos, is considerably simplified and can be carried out immediately even by unskilled persons. According to the invention the device consists in that on a roll of paper or similar material the keys of the instrument are shown in the same sequence and numberby broad lines parallel the one to the other in the longitudinaldirection of the strip composing the roll, the whitekeys being shown for example by whitelines and the black keys forexample' by grey lines. On these lines thenotes of the actual music composition are indicated by shorter or longer linesin a contrasting colour (for example jet black) grouped according to their short or long sound duration. This note strip wound onto a roll is mounted in front of the instrument by means of a suitable device and capable of unrolling in the direction of the keyboardin such a manner, that the player is able to immediately recognize, from the moving line notes coming within his range of vision, from the key lines indicated, the proper key position for the tones and their duration as also intervals. and rewinding this note roll a box-like frame is mounted on the front wall of the key in strument within the range of vision of the player, the axle of the note roll being interchangeably inserted in thisframe. The note roll can be coupled in this frame with the winding roll as also with a driving mechanism for unwinding and rewinding in such a manner that the note strip between the unwinding roll and the winding roller is visible from the exterior in theform of a continually moving sheet of music withnote'lines indicated thereon.

An advantage consists in that the case-like frame for the note roll with the winding roll and the driving mechanism can be removed and again fitted atany time independently of For unwinding the key instrument, i. e. without it being necessary to alter same.

The whole arrangement greatly assists the playing, when the note strip and its frame are constructed and arrangedon the instrument in such a manner that each of the lines on the note strip indicating the. keys, appears exactly above the corresponding, key of the instrument. The speed, at which the note roll should unwind, can be controlled by means of a hand, foot or knee-lever, which is suitably connected with the driving mecha- IllSIIl.

In order to further facilitate playing, it is advisable to arrange between the inserted note strip and the keyboard of the instrument, a picture of this keyboard for showing accuratelyxwhich keys are to be struck. This picture should be appliedin such a manner that the-illustrated keys are situated in exact. register and longitudinal direction to the corresponding key lines of the note strip, and the key lines move towards the illustrated keys when the note roll is unwinding. Thus the player will more easily see which keys he should strike. Several embodiments of the invention are illustratedby way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 shows the device in front elevation fitted to a piano, the note roll casing being open.

Fig.- 2 is a cross sect-ion through the note roll casing. a

Fig; 3 is a side view of a suitable driving mechanism.

Fig. 4-sh0wsanote'roll Fig. 5 shows in front elevation the device fitted toa piano, the note roll casing being closed. r

Fig. 6 shows in front elevation'the device in smaller size for more experienced'players.

()n a strip .1, made of paper, linen or other suitable material, the keys of apiano 2- are indicated in the same sequence andin the same number by strips 3, 4 running parallel the one to the other in the longitudinal direction of the strip, the white keys 5 being, for example, indicated by white strips 3 and the black keys 6 for example, by grey strips 4. The strips 3 and 4 therefore give an exact reproduction of the keyboard. The notes of the music composition are marked on these strips by lines 7 in a contrasting colour, for example jet black. The notes for the right and for the left hand may also be in diii'erent colours, whereby confusion is prevented. Signs should preferably be made on the note roll, when the pedals are to be depressed. The line notes 7 are grouped to show the tone by transverse marks 8, and each beat may be further subdivided by thin lines 9. The duration of sound of each one can therefore easily be expressed by according length of the line note. The same applies for long intervals.

The note roll 1 can be wound on an axle 10 in a similar manner to the music rolls in electric pianos and the like, said axle being in terchangeably inserted by means of its ends 11, 12 in the case-like frame 13. For this purpose the side walls 14 and 15 of the frame may be provided with slots 16 open towards the front and leading to the roll bearing. The free end of the note strip may be connected for example by means of one or more hooks 17 with the winding roll 18 rotatably and removably mounted in the casing 13.

The drive of the note roll is preferably effected by a small electro-motor 19. The drive may however be carried out by springor weight-force and, if required or desired by foot-orhand-mechanism. Thedrivingmechanism is in this instance fitted for example in a special casing 20, laterally connected to the note roll casing 13 in such a manner that it is, on the one hand, easily accessible and, on the other hand, is not in the way. The driving mechanism may also be fitted within the casing 13.

The rotation of the motor'19 is transmitted by a tooth wheel, worm, rope or other known driving gear to the axle 10 and to the roll 18. The note strip is preferably moved from above to below during the playing when the axle 10 and the roll 18 are arranged as shown in the drawings. Evidently the character of the invention is not aifected if the roll 18 is arranged at the top and the axle 10 at the bottom, the direction of movement is then inverse.

During the playing the motor 19 drives the winding, roll 18 through the gear wheels 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, said winding roller moving the notes strips towards the bottom and unwinding it from the axle 10. The winding roll 18 is of the largest possible diameter so that the speed of the note strip remains as far as possible constant during the play. The gear wheels 25, 26 and 27 run idle.

.he re-winding of the music strip 1 is effected through a reversing lever 29 oscillatable around the point 28 and secured in its extreme positions, said lever, when moved in the direction 30, bringing the gear wheel 23 out of engagement with the roll tooth wheel 24 and the tooth wheel 22 into engagement with the tooth wheel 25. An inverse rotation of the axle 10 is thus produced by the gears 26 and 27. The speed of the music strip 1, or of the motor 15), also the engagement and dis-engagement thereof may be regulated during the play for example by an elbow lever 31 through the intermediary of a switch resistance 32.

The music roll casing 13 may be built permanently in the piano 2. It may also be rcmovable and interchangeable and so arranged and fitted, that no parts of the piano need be altered or removed.

The music strip 1 and the note roll casing 13 ought to extend normally over the full width of the piano key-board 5, 6 so that each of the strips 3, 4 indicating the keys registers exactly with the corresponding key of the piano. Thereby the player knows immediately, where the keys to be struck are situated. For experienced players however a smaller construction according to Fig. 6 will suiiice, taking up less room and being easier to accommodate. The key board cover 33 of the piano can then be opened and closed at any time.

In any case it is advisable for facilitating the playing to arrange a picture 34 of this key board between the inserted music strip 1 and the key board 5, 6, e. g. accord ing to Fig. 5, so that the keys 35, 36 illustrated, accurately register with and are situated in the longitudinal direction to the corresponding key lines 3 and 4 of the music strip 1. The key lines move then, when the music roll is being unwound, towards this key board picture, which thereby points out still more distinctly the notes which are to be struck on the actual key board.

The music roll casing 13 has a front cover 37 mounted on hinges and having a suitable window 38 covered with a glass or other suitable pane through which the music strip 1 is visible. On the lower edge 39 of the cover 37 the picture 34 of the piano key board may be arranged.

In order that the music roll 1 always runs in a smooth plane, a stretching device of known kind may also be fitted. The driving mechanism is so constructed that the backward winding is carried out more rapid ly than the unwinding. The arrangement above described allows of numerous constructional alterations, which however have no bearing on the feature of the invention.

I claim A tune-sheet key indicator for key instrumcnts, comprising a note band, line notes on said note band as lines of a length corresponding with the duration of the tone, light and dark stripes on said noteband representing the white and black keys of the instrument, said line notes being differently colored for the right hand and for the left hand and applied on said light and dark stripes, so that said line notes indicate not only the duration for which the tone is held but also at the same time the proper position for both hands and fingers on the ke s.

In testimony whereof I afli x my signature.

ANTON CARL REFSGAARD. 

